Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) must not be detached from the world of works and “our curriculum needs to be flexible” focussing on collaborations and opportunities for creating other career and skills development pathways through alternative credentials and certifications, UBD Vice-Chancellor Dr Hazri bin Haji Kifle said.
This, hence, calls for rethinking and reimagining of UBD’s position and strategy, bearing in mind the many different expectations of the various stakeholders and the need to reconcile those expectations to remain relevant and impactful to the country and meeting the aspirations of Brunei Vision 2035, guided by the values of Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB), he said at the UBD Staff Excellence Award Presentation Ceremony 2021.
Dr Hazri was the guest of honour at the event held at the Tarindak D’Polo Restaurant to recognise the achievements of the awardees in teaching and learning, leadership and administration of the university, contributing towards the university’s continuous pursuit for education and research excellence.
The pandemic has revealed a multi-faceted challenge and opportunities that bring forth adaptive and transformative leadership, in managing crisis and change, Dr Hazri said.
Everyone at UBD “have shown resilience, innovativeness and dynamism that have inspired new ways of teaching and learning, conducive working environment, and effective utilisation of resources in UBD”. Citing the recent achievements of UBD in the Times Higher Education (THE) Asia University Rankings and QS World Ranking, he called for staff not to be complacent and to keep on evolving with the changing landscape and uncertainty of the future for universities, emphasising on skills development, lifelong learning and the needs of students and stakeholders.
The awards were presented to the UBD staff in various categories.
The Leadership Excellence Award was presented to Director of Centre for Advanced Material and Energy Science, Associate Professor Dr Lim Chee Ming.
The Teaching Excellence Award (Health Sciences) was presented to Senior Assistant Professor at Pengiran Anak Puteri Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah Institute of Health Sciences Dr Anni @ Nik Ani Afiqah Haji Mohd Tuah.
Assistant Professor at Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Institute of Education Dr Roslinawati binti Mohd Roslan received the Teaching Excellence Award (Education).
Senior Accountant at UBD Tabung Mah Wai Fong received the Administrative Excellence Award (Managers and Professional).
The Administrative Excellence Award (Technician) was presented to Senior Technical Assistant at the Estate Office Norasmelee bin Yusof.
The Administrative Excellence Award (Support Staff Division III) was handed over to Campus Building/Equipment Officer at the Finance Office Dayangku Norjawatul Wasimah binti Pengiran Razak.
Library Assistant Grade I at the UBD Library Hajah Nuriah binti Haji Mohammad received the Administrative Excellence Award (Support Staff Division IV) and Office Assistant at the Student Affairs Section Hasry bin Mohd Yusof received the Administrative Excellence Award (Support Staff Division V).
UBD senior management, principal officers, deputies, programme leaders and officers attended the event.
